Kenya wants to collaborate with Colombia to boost coffee trade

CHINCHINA (Colombia), Sept 14 (NNN-KBC) — Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has appealed to Colombia to partner with Kenya to boost coffee trade in Kenya.

Speaking while attending a Meeting with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation in Chinchina, Colombia, the DP said that Kenya is on its way to reclaim its glory in the Coffee trade through overseeing reforms in the sector.

Colombia is one of the countries that have succeeded in the Coffee trade and Kenya is seeking to partner with Colombia in its quest to gain entry into the global market and not only benefit the country but also cascade down to farmers.

“It was a nostalgic but a great learning moment for me and the Kenyan delegation as we engaged Colombian coffee farmers from the National Coffee Federation in Chinchina County, Caldas State. It was equally insightful being taken through the coffee value-chain- together with a group of Kenyan farmers, who are part of my delegation- at the Naranjal Research Farm” he said.

Among the delegation accompanying the DP is a group of farmers from various counties of Kenya in a bid to expand their knowledge on coffee planting, value addition, marketing as well as impact skills being applied in Colombia directly to the farmer.

The DP emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring farmer-centered reforms are implemented.

“We are also deeply grateful to the Government of Colombia, led by H.E President Gustavo Petro Urrego, for the will to support our farmers to earn commensurate to their sweat. We are committed to delivering the reforms and the Plan, as better days beckon” he promised.

The coffee farmers who have accompanied the the DP include Daniel Rop (Kericho), Edwin Kamau (Muranga), Harrison Wafula (Bungoma) Daisy Githinji (Kirinyaga), Charles Mutwiri Mukarimu (Meru), John Muchwe (Muranga County).